Two-time Eurovision entrants Zdob și Zdub now become three-time Eurovision entrants after being announced as Moldova’s representative for Eurovision 2022. Alongside Frații Advahov, they will perform the song “Trenulețul” in Turin.
The entry was selected internally following a live auditions round today, with 28 entries vying to be selected as Natalia Gordienko’s successor at the contest. The group are no strangers to Eurovision after having placed in the top 15 twice at the contest – finishing 6th in 2005 and 12th in 2011.
‘Audieri Live’ replaces national final
Originally, Moldovan broadcaster TRM had planned to hold a national final on 5th March to select their entry for the contest. However, due to rising Covid-19 infections in Moldova, it was decided that the entry would be decided via an internal selection following live auditions instead. This was always a clause of the original rules of the selection where the broadcaster reserved the right to announce their Eurovision representative at any phase in the process.
Zdob și Zdub & Frații Advahov were selected from a total of twenty-eight artists by a professional jury consisting of Geta Burlacu (Moldova 2008), Aliona Moon (Moldova 2013), Cristina Scarlat (Moldova 2014), Vali Boghean (singer) and Victoria Cuşnir (journalist).
Moldova will compete in the first half of the first semi-final, which will be held on 10th May.
Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest
Moldova made their Eurovision debut in 2005 with Zdob și Zdub’s ‘Boonika bate doba‘. With a successful sixth place, this was the start of things to come. Overall Moldova has participated in the contest 16 times. Of this they have reached the final on 11 occasions. As well as reaching the top 10 with three more attempts. Their best ever result came in 2017 with SunStroke Project’s energetic, ‘Hey Mamma‘ achieving third place.
Earlier this year, TRM confirmed Natalia Gordienko would return for Moldova, after the cancellation of the 2020 contest due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With the support of the famous Eurovision hit-makers the ‘Dream Team’, Natalia secured a top 15 result for the plucky nation, with ‘Sugar’ earning 115 points in 13th place.
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